Dragon Age: Sundering

[Rose]

Inali looked over Kain with her honey eyes, watching him in quiet contemplation. He had dreamed of something terrible just as she had, and now that he mentioned it….Was there a figure in the shadows, lurking in the fading memory of her dreams? She shook her head slowly. There was no use frightening herself because of the words of a shem. She shook the thoughts out of her mind and bowed her head.

“I went first. I…had no idea it was dangerous. When Janne told me not everyone had survived, I had to see for myself.”

She glanced over at Kennith and gave him a soft smile. It was odd how quickly her attitude toward people could change so quickly, and for what reasons. Kennith was a shem, of course, and he was a blood mage, something she wasn’t entirely comfortable with, but his alienation away from other shems because of his magic somehow gave Inali a softer view of him. She nodded her head to him.

“I’m glad to see you made it.” She hesitated, then glanced back at Kain through her messy, half pulled-up hair. “The both of you.”

Whatever she felt for the Templar, he had saved her from her fate and she owed him for that, at least. And to die before your life really began….She didn’t wish that on anyone. She turned to him again, looking down at him with her chin angled up. She still looked like she felt like she was better than him, but after a long pause and sigh she looked away, lowering her voice. She sounded a bit disgruntled.

“About what happened in the woods….It was….not my wisest decision.” She fought to say any more than that. “And….I’m sorry.”

Inali turned and walked away suddenly, throwing open the door and stepped half way out before pausing and turning to him.

“That doesn’t mean you didn’t deserve it, though. Do something stupid like that again and I’ll put you back in your place,Templar.” There was something almost like a smirk on her face, but it was quite possible she was serious.

[Eva]

Kennith was still hazy, so the conversation between Inali and Kain barely registered to him. He picked up a few words, but he didn't really feel like throwing out any witty remarks. He had only started to feel slightly better after the elf had left. "I think she likes us!" he drawled, his voice heavily slurred but still intelligible. "I don't...I don't remember much. I'm glad Janne made it." Kennith tried to stand up, and supported himself on the wall. He walked towards Kennith, arms somewhat limp and noodle-like. "I'm glad YOU made it. You're my new friend." he slurred, eyes drooping. Just as Kennith was about to reach Kain's bed, his eyes started to close. In seconds, he fell again. The mage started snoring, half on the ground, half on the bed.

The door on the left(opposite of the door that Inali had come through) opened, and Selphina entered. She looked at Kennith and shook her head. "I am never surprised." she sighed. Selphina walked up to the templar and nonchalantly pushed Kennith's body onto the floor, where he still remained asleep. "I came here to check on you two. How are you, Kain? And how is...he?" she asked.

[Tusk]

Kras woke with a slow start. He vaguely remembered a Dream, however, waking up again in a strange bed was quite annoying. He sat up only to see Ham looking at him. Kras suddenly launched out of bed and tackled the War hound. Kras kept low as the war hound freed himself and they began to growl at each other, sparks of rage were flying in their eyes. Ham barked loudly as Kras did as well. Finally, Kras had a part of him back. He slammed his fist on the ground and stood up. He made sure he had his great sword and gave Ham a hard pat to the ribs before they both set out of the room and toward the noise in the other room. Kennith was looking like he had not fully recovered and Kain seemed well. There was no sign of that woman mage or the boy. They did not make it, it seemed. To die by poison rather than by battle was sickening to Kras.

Kras kept quiet and kept to the corner. Ham sat next to him, and both looked rather annoyed with all the talking. Kras missed it. However, now he wanted to see how the others had changed. Would there be a leader stepping out, or would they all still be weak in Kras' eyes. He still remembered that legion member and her honorable Death. Did the warden know? Finally he relized he too was a Gray Warden. They all were now.
" So what now? "
Kras said impatiently as he looked around.
" No doubt we have to wait until we all recover, but what are we suppose to be doing now that we are all Wardens? "

[GnomesAteMyCake]

Kain met Inali's gaze for a moment, holding her stare for a moment before answering.

"I would expect nothing less of you, Inali."

He returned her small smile as she closed the door, and sighed. I never know what to make of that mage...hopefully we will find a medium in which we can tolerate eachother. This seems like a good first step. He was so wrapped up in his thoughts, Kain didn't realise Kennith was standing beside him babbling about something untill he began falling towards him.

Kain groaned as the top half of Kennith's body collasped on top of him, the man's slurred words giving only the slightest warning that he was unstable. Rolling his eyes and looking very uncomfortable, Kain prodded Kennith's shoulder, but only got a grunt in return.

"Kennith...get off me," he said in an asperated voice, pinching the bridge of his nose. The bloodmage refused to move, but luckily for Kain, Selphina entered their room to inquire how they were doing and pushed him to the floor. Kain allowed himself a small chuckle before sitting up and focusing on Selphina.

"I am perfectly well, Ser. Nothing that will not be cured with time and fresh air, I'm sure. As for him-" he gestured at Kennith, "- I can never tell what is going on in that mans head. However, I am sure he will also be fine in a few hours."

The two stood in silence for a moment until Kras spoke up from the corner, asking about what they were to do now. Covering his mouth whilst he yawned, Kain blinked blearily before looking back at Selphina.

"I would assume that our Leader knows what lays in store for us. Have you spoken with His Majesty, Ser Selphina? If I am correct, this interior design is that of the Royal Palace. King Alistair is bound to be around somewhere."

[Eva]

Selphina smiled at the two warriors. "For now, yes, the two of you will rest up. You may feel fine now, but the Joining is not something that simply stops. It will plague you for a while, as it plagued me." she explained. "I will tell everyone what we are to do when we can gather together. However, for now know that I intend to take us to Vigil's Keep. An old friend has told me that our help is needed there." Selphina looked at the two men, then down at Kennith's body. "I would encourage you to take some personal time. Travel the city, but stay in groups. Denerim is only as safe as you make it." she warned. With that, Selphina gave the two men a courteous nod. "I will go and find the others. To see if they require anything. Kain, keep Kennith with you. I don't like the idea of him running around alone in this state." she said.

Selphina left the room through the same door as Inali, and caught a glimpse of the Dalish elf as she did so. "Inali! Don't make an old woman run!" she called out. Selphina jogged up to Inali, her heavy armor clanging as it did so. "Ah, I've still got it." Selphina sighed, patting her chest. "How are you, my dear? From what the mages told me when we got back, you had a very emotional time."

[Rose]

Inali turned and smiled when she heard the old dwarf call out to her. If there was anyone here she liked, and whose company was more than mildly bearable, it was Selphina. She stopped walking and leaned against the wall a bit as the senior Warden approached, taking in the sight of her and wondering somewhere in the back of her mind how well the woman still fought, and if she’d ever stop.

“How are you, my dear? From what the mages told me when we got back, you had a very emotional time.”

Inali looked away, the smile slipping from her face. She stole a glance at the ring she’d been given, twisting it around her finger a few times. It was an action that would likely grow on her, one that she would do for comfort in hard times when she needed reminding what she was sacrificing so much for.

“I’m…better, I suppose,” Inali said softly, looking back up to Selphina. “I know I’m doing the right thing, or I dearly hope I am, but…that doesn’t make it much easier. My clan is all I have ever known. I was without a home or family the minute I was dragged from that forest. And given the opportunity to have it all back, I declined. I must be crazy, or blessed with making decisions I don’t fully understand.”

The elf stood up straight, squaring her shoulders. She wished no one had seen her moment of weakness, but thanked the Creators that the templar at least hadn’t been there. Inali tried for a smile to distract herself, raising an eyebrow.

“It was clever of you, not telling anyone what the Joining might cost them. I might not have been so quick to follow you after all, had I known.” Inali combed back her hair, freeing it from its leather cord, and shook it out. “But I am a Warden now. That gives me some hope that the Gods are not displeased.”

[Tusk]

Kras let out a low growl after Selphina left. It was true that he did feel a little weaker, but to simply walk the city with either Kain or Kennith was not his idea of a fun time. Not to mention, he was close to that noble. If he stepped outside the palace grounds and heard that name, he would go on a murderous rampage. He was not ready for that. His body still felt the effects of the joining. Just the thought of not being able to repay the man who betrayed his group made his blood boil. Before long it was too much for him to keep still. He looked at Ham, and Ham saw it in Kras' eyes and began to growl loudly.
" Not yet boy, but soon. We will make sure he pays when we are ready. No one double crosses us and lives long to tell about it. That traitorous Noble will soon answer for his crime! " Kras finished with a shout, uncaring if Kain or Kennith heard him.

Ham barked loudly after a growl. Together, the left the room. The thought of being so close, yet so far away from their goal was enough to fully wake him up. He stormed out of the castle and into the courtyard. His blood boiling, but no where to use it. Ham, without warning, jumped on Kras, who instinctively threw Ham off. Together they both seemed to feed off eachother as they soon began to fight. They let the rage flow through their bodies and to a normal person, they looked to be trying to kill one another. Kras could only think of what would happen if Selphina let him go visit that traitor before they left. His entire estate, family, and anyone close to him would be wiped from the face of the earth.

[GnomesAteMyCake]

Sighing, Kain ran a hand through his dark hair, his usually passive face looking somewhat disappointed and bored.

"Believe me, Ser, that sounds like more of a punishment than the Joining," he joked weakly as Selphina began to leave the room. He swore he heard a small sound of amusement from her, but he could not be sure. Either way, he would be babysitting the Bloodmage for the rest of the day. As annoying as it was bound to be, at least with Kennith under his surveillance, there was little chance for the man to make trouble; Kain would obviously not allow himself to get wrapped up in any chaos the mage might cause.

Stepping carefully over Kennith's slumbering form, Kain walked quietly over to his dresser, taking a few items of clothing from the drawers before attempting to hunt down the washroom. He would leave his armour in the castle today; Templars attracted enough attention as it was, his armour would only act as a becon for trouble when he was supposed to be laying low- but he would buckle a daggar to his belt, just in case. Kennith obviously wouldn't need any weapons, as the man's body was one.

He re-entered their room a while later, his hair still damp and now dressed in a black tunic with dark trousers and boots. Kennith hadn't moved a muscle in the time he'd been gone. Holding in a groan and refraining from rolling his eyes, Kain put his face in a neutral expression and attempted to rouse the mage from sleep, shaking his shoulder slightly.

"Kennith. You are currently sleeping on the floor. Wake up; Selphina wishes for us to get up and walk the city to regather our senses, and she has intructed I accompany you to wherever you wish to go, as you seem to be having more trouble with the Joining than I..." trailing off, Kain looked down to see the mage still sleeping, not even making a sound to show he'd heard the Templar. His mouth twisting into the slightest of frowns, Kain shook him harder. "Kennith. Get up now, lest I call Selphina in here to deal with you. Do you really want to be annoying our leader so early on into Wardenship?"

[Eva]

Kennith's eyes fluttered open and he groaned. "TECHNICALLY I've been a Warden far longer than you have." he snapped. The mage tried to stand up and, in spite of a bit of faltering, succeeded. "But, semantics. I have no interest in going anywhere. If there is a place you wish to go, well, I'll be your fawning follower." he said. Kennith gathered up his hair and tied it back, flashing a cheesy smile as he did so. "But we should see if anyone else wants to come with us. We wouldn't the people of Denerim to think we're like that." he added with a great deal of emphasis on the last two words. Kennith sat down on Kain's bed and yawned. "Well, go find the others. I'll wait here. Your senior Warden has given you an order, young man, so go ahead and obey!" he said, waving the Templar off.

[Eva]

"Refusal would not have changed the course of their lives. They would have undergone it regardless." Selphina said, her voice forceful. "I am glad that you feel better, and that many of the recruits survived, but I will stress that there is very little choice when it comes to being a Grey Warden. Before and after the Joining." she explained. "I say this only because a great deal of responsibility is upon you, Inali, and you must be quick to either follow or lead." Selphina sighed. "If I am coming across as overbearing or tough, know that a great deal of hardship is ahead for all of us. Soon we head for the outpost for Fereldan's new Grey Warden's outpost: Vigil's Keep. But first, we rest." Selphina yawned and stretched her arms. "Be kind to your comrades, Inali. Now there are no humans, elves, dwarves, or qunari among us. None of us are mages, Templars, or Dalish. We are all Wardens. That is our race now." she said. With that, Selphina walked away, moving slower than she ever had in her life.

[Wendy Ann Beckett-Jolina]

Aranel sighed, twiddling her thumbs idly. There really wasn't much to do in her case, as she hadn't partaken in the Joining, besides watching others awaken. It was rather odd for her as she watched them all with curious eyes, mostly because she felt so separated from the rest of them. Inali and the other Dalish, whose name had been lost as a result of her rather bad memory, they were different from her, raised in a whole different background than she. She'd never known what it was like to live in a forest, so free and in tune with herself, just as they didn't know what it was like to live within the city's walls. Kras scared her too much, and was a little hesitant to speak with him, for fear of the unknown. The rest seemed pretty nice, but she just didn't know them well, not enough to feel comfortable. Still, she tried to stay chipper, no matter the discomfort. In reality, the only person that she felt the least bit trustful of was Selphina, only because she saw her as an almost motherly figure, something that she didn't remember having.

Speaking of the woman, she saw her traipsing across the room, seeming completely exhausted. Now, she wasn't any sort of healer, but Aranel could tell when something was wrong with someone, either physically or emotionally. Walking to the older woman, she placed a hand on her shoulder, looking completely concerned. "Ma'am, are you ok?" She kept her voice low, and the strain of worry was evident in it. Aranel's question was kept formal, not at all intended to come out too personal, yet not so distant that she seemed unsocial.

[Rose]

Inali watched Selphina go, but remained leaning against the wall for some time after as well. She couldn’t remember ever feeling so tired in her life, not after the long treks with her clan to find a new home or running from some creature that wanted her dead. The battle itself hadn’t left her with such a feeling, or maybe it was still drawing energy from her even now. Rubbing her head to try and dispel a creeping ache, the elf finally picked herself off the wall and slowly made her way back to her room. Poking her head inside, she gave Janne a small smile.

“Hey, I’m going to look around town. I feel I must get used to the life you humans live. I thought it wise to let someone know I was leaving.”

With that she was gone again, closing the door quietly behind her. She strode through the unfamiliar hallways, passing by a few humans carrying food or mops or other servant things. At one point an elf walked briskly past her without so much as nodding to his fellow kind, and Inali stopped for a moment to watch him go. She eyed his old clothes, pegging him for a servant. She had to wonder If there was a single elf in town who knew what wealth felt like.

Brushing off her discomfort, Inali kept going and found herself at wide silver doors, one open to let in the light breeze from outside. She slipped out into some sort of courtyard decorated lightly with a few flowering bushes and a stone pathway that led into the rest of the city. The elf realized they must have been taken to some sort of estate, and with a glance back at its high stone walls she left the grounds.

The city beyond wasn’t as busy as the last time she had visited, but that wasn’t saying much. The marketplace was still crowded with humans and a dwarf or two scurrying around in search of their daily needs, many of them carrying food or tools or building materials.

“Does no one know how to slow down?” Inali asked herself quietly as she walked slowly through the market, moving in small circles or standing still so she could take in every little detail like she had always been trained to. Getting lost in thought as she stared at a sign for some sort of tavern, her feet rooted to the spot, someone slammed into the side of her and cursed loudly as though it had been her fault.

“Damn knife-ear! Watch where you’re going!” They shouted, and when Inali blinked in surprise and looked down she saw a grumbling old woman bent over and picking up her spilled basket of fruits, an impatient scowl on her face.

“I-I’m sorry…” the Dalish stammered, kneeling down to pick up some of the fruits. “Let me help you.”

“You had better get them all!” The woman said through clenched teeth, her wrinkled hand pointing to the fallen produce, even indicating a squished individual under someone’s foot. Inali grimaced, but she didn’t want to cause trouble. She quickly gathered what she could salvage and placed them in the basket, holding it out when she was finished. The old woman snatched it away, peering inside incredulously. Her puckered old mouth went tight and she gestured into the basket.

“That isn’t all of them. Where are the rest? Did you take them? You thief!”

“N-no, they were soiled…and…” Inali stammered, pointing to a few of the broken fruits, trying to keep herself calm. She didn’t need to let her temper get the best of her like it had before, especially not here.

There were a lot of eyes on them now that the woman had yelled, making a scene. A middle-aged man stepped in, his face strong and his chest puffed up like he was going to be a hero. He took the old woman gently by the arm as if she needed support just to stand, weakened by the frightful situation. His eyes and their arrogant, ignorant look never left her.

“Where’s your Master? He’s sure to-” The man started, but was cut off by Inali.

“My Master?” Inali cried in horror, deeply offended. She didn’t realize that alienage elves never went anywhere outside of their area unless with their master, and that anyone around was likely to mistake her for one of the flat-ears. She ground her teeth together, trying to keep her calm. “I’m not a thief, and no one but the Creators rule me.”

“The…creators?” The man muttered, but the word was beyond his understanding. He eyed her suspiciously, his hand on a dagger at his side like she might leap out and suddenly throttle him. However much she liked the very idea of it, she ignored him and his weapon, holding up a hand.

“I have had enough of this. Let me pass.”

[Tusk]

Kras and Ham took a break from their playing. Kras was scratched on his arms, but he did not even seem to notice. Ham laid at his side panting, but his head soon shot up as Inali passed them going toward the market. Kras noticed Ham's jump and he looked to see the elf.
" Fool elf. The dwarf told us to travel in groups. " He muttered to Ham as he stood up and followed.

He did not want to hear the Dwarf go on a rant. He was already on thin ice with the cave and Janne almost turning into a brood mother. Not only that, The Elf was most likely going to get killed out there. The city was not like the woods.
" Now I got to go outside the walls and baby sit an elf. "
Kras muttered as Ham growled. Together, they followed Inali until she, without suprise, ran into trouble with the humans. Kras did not move in, until he saw a man hold onto a dagger. That made Kras angry. Though the elf seemed to hold her own, Kras came in, his eyes locked onto the man who soon seemed to notice the giant, angry, Qunari walking right for him.

"Dishonorable Dog!" Kras spat as he closed in on the man who now drew his dagger in fear.
" You come in acting tough to a weak looking elf? You have no honor! "
Kras began to shout as people suddenly began to move out of his way. Ham began growling loudly focusing on the crowd.
" If you think you can hold your own in a fight, then I will gladly take you on! "
He took out his great sword with Ham barking with a feral look in his eyes.
The man began to tremble as he dropped the dagger and ran.
" Coward, "
Kras spat as he looked to the crowd. Despite feeling weak, no one seemed much like a threat.
" Any one else think they can stand up and try to be a hero? If anyone thought they can take on the elf, then let them stand now and face my blade. "
So far, no one moved an inch.
" Cowards. Not an ounce of honor in this city. I guess It is expected if Daltres has the run he does here. "

[GnomesAteMyCake]

Huffing in frustration, Kain pushed himself up off the bed and stalked to the door of the room. The nerve of that man! As if anyone would even think something so ridiculous! Pulling open the door, Kain was about to leave when he retorted childishly, "TECHNICALLY I'm older than you, Kenny."

Pulling the heavy oak door shut behind him just in case the Mage resorted to his name-calling with a fireball to Kain's retreating back. Not that the Templar wouldn't deserve it; name-calling was for children, it was shameful that he broke so quickly. But Kennith had that way of just getting under his skin with his idiotic remarks and macabre look on life. Giving the life of others to extend his power was wrong, no matter how you looked at it. He needed constant watch, and now that he was a Warden, Kain couldn't ask his two brothers to do the job. It would fall to him, and him alone.

Not that it made the idea any more pleasant.

Since the corridor was deserted, Kain allowed himself to groan, bringing a hand to his forehead as if it would be able to fight off the headache that was building behind his eyes. If he really was to look after Kennith today, then he'd need to take someone with him. Someone to keep him sane. Even Inali would be welcome company, but a sweep of the quarter's they'd been given only prooved that she'd already gone. Leaning against the stone walls, the only other person he could think of was Janne. Considering what she had been through, Kain had been reluctant to ask for her company; no doubt she'd want to rest. At the same time, he couldn't see how her being alone would aid her in any way. Better to talk it through with her new companions, if that was her wish.

Following the corridor to the final door before the stairs swept downwards into the rest of the castle, Kain raised a hand and knocked on the door before pushing it open the slightly fraction so that his voice would better carry to the Knight.
"Janne? It's Kain. How are you feeling?" he asked softly, genuine concern in his voice.
"I am well, Kain. Please, do come in," came the weary voice of the Orlesian girl. Pushing the door open farther, Kain edged into the room, giving the young woman a soft smile as he saw her sat up in bed, her eyes rimmed with dark shadows but otherwise looking no worse for wear.
"I am gladdened to hear that. I was wondering if you would like to accompany me and Kennith out into Denerim today? I would very much appriciate your company," he asked, keeping his eyes on the wall behind the womans head rather than look her in the face. Kain disliked asking people for anything, and the understanding smile that spread across her face only cemeted his ideals of never asking anyone for anything ever again.
"I would be glad to. If you would leave me to get ready, and I will join you both shortly," she answered, the smile never wavering. Kain nodded stiffly before leaning forward slightly and then exiting the room to go back to his.

"Kennith? Janne will be joining us," Kain said through the door, only opening it a small amount so that the wood would act as a sheild should the mage actually decide to let loose with his magics.

[Eva]

Selphina looked up at Aranel, shaking her head. "I don't mean to inconvenience you, Aranel. But sometimes I just feel so very tired." she sighed. "During battle, I have so much energy and strength. But when I walk a few feet during down time, I feel like my body is about to collapse into itself. Every step is a burden. Sometimes I just stand still and I think it's all going to end, right there." Selphina sat down in one of the chairs and rubbed her eyes. "We are going to Vigil's Keep soon. Once we get there, another Warden will take my place as leader of this group. I am not capable of leadership any longer. Until then, Aranel, I ask that you stay silent about my problems." she asked.